Author: occwebsite

1. A list of OCCKids Resources for families. There will be more that we add as time goes on.
2. God Is Help – March 22 is the bible story and activities that are part of our Sunday school curriculum.
3. Colouring pages (When You Feel Anxious) that are from a company we have used before. These are offered as a start and people can sign up to receive more through their website. This is referenced in the resource pdf.

Expenses at OCC continue. The Leadership Team at OCC wants to thank you for your faithfulness in giving to the ministry of OCC.

There are several ways you can give during this time:

• You can drop your offering off at the OCC building, either when there is someone in the building or through the mail slot (in the front glass panel, nearest to the driveway).
• You can mail your offering to
  OCC
  64 Colborne St E
  Orillia, ON, L3V 1T6
• You can give by e-transfer. Use the following email address when using e-transfer for your offering: finance@occweb.org.
• You can give via PayPal. The easiest way to go to https://occweb.org/online-giving/ and click on the donate button.

Dear OCCers,

We will not be meeting together for the next few weeks (until at least April 19). Our Leadership Team, following the Ministry of Health, will evaluate the situation on an on-going basis.

Follow OCC updates for details on how we are going to work together over this next season, even while we can’t meet face to face. We will not be live-streaming our service. But we will be creating or linking to video, graphic and written content to enable us to enter into worship, to dig into God’s Word, to pray for one another, and encourage us to care for OCC and our neighbours. We will also be creating or linking you to resources for OCCKids, OCCYouth and families.

We can walk through these days, together, with God’s strength and presence.

A few things to note:

• Practice “social distancing.” That means keep your distance from others. Don’t meet with others.
• When you do have to go out, to get groceries and other necessities, please wash your hands vigorously. If you are unable to get out because you are in quarantine or self-isolating because you have just returned from out of Canada, please let us know – we will do that for you.
• Do get out and get some fresh air and exercise, but do that alone, or with your family.
• Please keep in contact with those who are older or whom you know have health issues by text, phone, email or social media to ensure their safety and well being. While we cannot gather together, and some are in quarantine or self-isolating, we want to do our best to make sure that everyone feels connected. Isolation MUST NOT mean alienated or forgotten.
• Listen to that nudge of the Holy Spirit. Maybe make one or two calls a day – you will bless others and you will be blessed as well.
• Expenses at OCC continue. We are taking steps to reduce these as much as possible. The Leadership Team at OCC wants to thank you for your faithfulness in giving to the ministry of OCC. You can give online, by e-transfer, or mail. See the above link for all the details.

This is a time for grace and imagination. As well as a crisis, it is an opportunity to follow Jesus in loving our neighbour. Let us be ready to respond to the needs of family, OCC, neighbours and even strangers. We love our community and want to ensure its thriving for the sake of our life together and for all our neighbours in our spread-out-all-over-Orillia-and-area church.

We live in a world where all creation is groaning and we ourselves are groaning as we wait for the adoption of the children of God and for the redemption that is ours through Christ. Christians have generally been at their best when everyone else around them is consumed with panic. We are faith people and love people and serve others even when it costs us. Let’s be those people now when it counts. If you have any questions, please let us know.

In Christ,
pastor Mike

For up-to-date information follow the Government of Canada public health site:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Simcoe Muskoka Public Health site:
http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Promos/Novel-Coronavirus

OCC website
https://occweb.org/news-and-updates/category/covid-19-updates/

occ 2020 letter 2 letterhead

Every few days we will post some specific things to be praying for.

We want to start by praying for all those working in health care and related fields.

• doctors
• nurses
• nurse-practitioners
• technicians
• cleaning staff
• administrators
• PSWs
• pharmacists
• and so many more

We also want to pray for those in hospital and nursing homes who now have far less contact with family and friends.

As well we want to pray for those who have had tests, procedures and surgeries postponed.

It’s important that we make decisions based on correct information.

• Stay informed. Please review recommendations from experts at Public Health and the Ontario Ministry of Health frequently. New information is coming quickly and it is important that our community stays up to date on the latest recommendations. Locally, this link at Orillia Matters is posting health updates as well as updates on what is open and closed.
• Social distancing is difficult but critical. We only get one chance to slow the spread of COVID-19 and that time is now. For many small businesses, this is going to be tough for a while. Hang in there.
  Social distancing does not mean that you have to cut off all contact with people. We have phones and internet. Connect with others. Give someone a call today.
• Look out for each other in the community. There are a number of vulnerable individuals in the community that continue to need support. We need as many people as possible to remain healthy at home so our hospital and family doctors can focus on our response to COVID-19. Be safe and help a neighbour.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.